Support member for a missile launching and guiding device



Feb, 10, i970 F. PFISTER 3,494,250

SUIPORT MEMBER FOR A MSSTLE LAUNCHING AND GUIDING DEVICE Filed May l5,1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F .ull j INVENTOR Franz Pfister ATTORNEYS Feb. 10,1970 F. PFISTER 3,494,250

SUPPORT MEMBER FOR A MISSILE LAUNCHING AND GUIDING DEVICE Filed May 15,1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 |NVENTOR Franz Pf|ster ATTORNEYS 3,494,250 SUPPORTMEMBER FOR A MISSILE LAUNCHING AND GUllDlNG DEVICE Franz Ptister,Hochstadt, Germany, assignor to Bolkow Gesellschaft mit beschrankterHaftung, Ottobrunn, Germany Filed May 15, 1968, Ser. No. 729,188 Claimspriority, application Germany, May 19, 1967, B 92,606 Int. Cl. F41f 3/04U.S. Cl. 89-1.815 13 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A support memberfor a missile launching and guiding device is formed of an h-shapedbracket made of a lightweight material such as a plastic. The bracketextends longitudinally in the tiring direction of the device andsupports a housing in its forward end containing the means for launchingand guiding the missile. At its rear end the bracket supports a couplingmember for securing the missile and its launching tube to the device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is directed to a device forlaunching and guiding missiles from a launching tube and, moreparticularly, it is directed to a support bracket arranged to supportthe coupling member which secures the launching tube to the device.Further, the support bracket is arranged to support a housing containingthe means for launching and guiding the missile. In addition, a sightingmember is mounted on the bracket for aiming and guiding the missile.

Such launching and guiding devices are adjustable in the elevating andtraversing directions for properly aiming and guiding missiles. Thelaunching and guiding device of the present invention comprises a standand tripod which Vcan be detachably locked to the bracket supporting thelaunching tube and the sight. Such a missile tiring Weapon ischaracterized by its versatility. It can be carried and operated by asingle individual, it can be operated supported on the ground or, afterdisengagement from its stand, it can be operated from the shoulder inthe standing, kneeling or prone positions.

Since the missile iiring weapon is intended to be handled by a singleindividual, its weight and the simplicity of the mechanisms contributingto its makeup are of paramount importance.

Accordingly, it is the primary object of the invention to simplify thearrangement and operation of a missile launching device, particularly inthe construction of the member used both for supporting its guiding andlaunching means and for supporting the launching tube for the missile.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lightweight constructionfor a bracket member affording the support both for the missilelaunching tube and for the housing containing the means for launchingand guiding missiles.

A further object of the invention is to supply a configuration for thebracket which provides a protective shield for the person operating themissile launching device.

Moreover, another object of the invention is to shape the bracket toreceive the missile launching tube in interlocking engagement. Further,means are formed in the bracket for guiding the missile launching tubeand its coupling member into interlocking engagement.

Therefore, the present invention provides a bracket for a missilelaunching and guiding device in which the 3,494,259 Patented F el). 10,1970 bracket s arranged to support both a housing containing the missilelaunching and guiding system and a missile launching package orassembly. The device is adjustable in the elevating and traversingdirections and it contains a sighting member, mounted on the bracket,for aiming, tracking and guiding the missile. To afford a compactlightweight construction, the bracket is formed of a plastic shellconstruction having a substantially h-shaped cross section. Disposed inone end of the bracket, in a box-type housing support, is lthe electricand electronic means for launching and guiding the missile.

Since a plastic shell construction is employed for the bracket, theweight of the entire launching guiding device is considerably reducedand it is much easier to transport, especially since the weapon isintended to be carried by a single individual. The housing support forthe electronic means is arranged in the center of gravity range of thebracket, whereby the forces acting on the bracket are transmitted intothe housing support and the plastic shell construction of the bracket,is relieved, to a considerable extent, of the forces developed in thelaunching operation. The box-type housing support contains all of theelectric and electronic parts required for launching and guiding themissile. In this way, the entire system used in launching and guidingthe missile is centrally disposed and can be checked and maintained in asimple and easy manner. Further, if it is necessary to do so because ofits location in the bracket, the contacts of the housing support can beeasily removed and repaired as a self-contained unit. Because of thenature of its contents, the housing is provided with an opening or doorwhich is closed in a gastight manner.

An important feature of the bracket is the formation, in its rearportion, of a U-shaped recess for receiving the coupling member `whichattaches the missile launching tube to the device. Moreover, the forwardportion of the bracket has a U-shaped section formed by the lower partof its h-shaped configuration which is open at the bottom and receivesthe support housing containing the means for launching and guiding themissile.

In View of the configuration of the bracket and of the rigid lightweightstructure aiforded by its plastic shell construction, the bracketaffords simple handling of the launching and guiding device,particularly in attaching the missile launching package, composed of thecoupling member, the launching tube and the missile, into the bracket.Within the U-shaped recess at the rear part of the bracket, slidingguides are provided for directing the coupling member and its attachedlaunching tube in correct alignment into the launching and guidingdevice. An electric plug connection is provided on the forward end ofthe coupling member which is secured and properly guided into a matingelectric plug connection formed in the bracket and connected to thehousing support for completing all of the electrical connectionsnecessary between the missile and the launching and the guiding device.This arrangement ensures a rapid and safe connection of the missilelaunching package into the launching and guiding device.

For ease in aiming and guiding the missile, a pair of handles arearranged on the opposite sides of the forward end of the bracket, andare of special advantage when -iring from the shoulder or a similarposition. Preferably, the handles are shaped so that one portionconforms to the thumb and the remaining portion conforms to the fingerand hand of the person operating the missile device. The constructionprovided is particularly rugged for withstanding the rough treatmentsuch Weapons experience in use. Further, because the handles are closely-tted to the bracket, they do not interfere with its operation and areparticularly eiective in aiming, tracking and guiding the missiles.

Another feature of the invention is the manner in which the sight isrigidly connected to the bracket. The sighting member is arranged sothat a portion of it bears on or is supported by the housing support.The sighting member is aligned on the bracket whereby the launching axisof the missile is displaced in the elevating and traversing directionwith respect to the optical axis of the sight. Since the sighting memberis fastened, at least in part, to the housing support, the forces actingon it are absorbed for the most part -by the housing support and theshell construction of the bracket is relieved of these stresses. Theoptical axis of the sight is slightly displaced with respect to thelaunching axis of the missile in order to compensate for the momentsdeveloped during the take-off of the missile. This arrangement insuresthe ability of the guiding device to pick up the missile within thenarrow range of its position nder which is contained within the sightingmember.

The unbalancing moments which are developed as the missile is red orlaunched are due mainly to the gravity component which is not fullycompensated by the lifting forces produced at the start of theacceleration phase. This unbalancing effect causes the missile to drop acertain amount immediately after it leaves the launching tube. Further,it also results in a force acting transverse to the launching directionof the missile which is effected by the break-olf of the guide wirecemented to the skin of the launching tube and occurs immediately afterthe missile ejects from the tube.

In order to balance these various moments developed as each of themissiles is tired, the launching axis of the missile is adjusted byseveral degrees in the launching direction with respect to the opticalaxis of the sight in order to displace the unbalancing moments producedby gravity by several degrees to the right to take care of the lateralinterference caused by the break-ofiC of the guide wire.

Finally, in the present arrangement care is taken that the points ofattachment `between the sighting member and the device are approximatelyin the center of gravity whereby there is little likelihood of change inthe direction of sight caused by the weight reduction occurring as amissile is launched.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a4part of this specification. For a better understanding of theinvention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by itsuse, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings anddescriptive matter in which there is illustrated and described apreferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. l is a perspective view of the parts forming the launching andguiding device in a separated arrangement and including a bracketembodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front end view of the launching device shown in FIG. 1 inits assembled arrangement;

FIG. 3 is a rear end View of the launching and guiding device shown inFIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a top view, partly sectioned, of the rear portion of thebracket of the launching and guiding device illustrated in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In FIG. I, a missilelaunching and guiding device is shown in a separated arrangement and itis comprised of a stand 2 on which a bracket 3 is supported and in turnthe bracket provides a mounting for the launching tube 4. The stand 2 isprovided with means for adjustably positioning the device in theelevating and traversing directions. On the stand, a first gear 8, 9 ispositioned for traversing movement of the device and a second gear isprovided for movement in the elevating direction which can beaccomplished by an operator handling the rotary handle 6.

In FIG. 1 it will be noted that the bracket 3 extends in the directionof the launching tube, that is in the firing direction of the device,and FIGS. 2 and 3 disclose the cross sectional shape of the bracket inthe direction transverse to its longitudinal axis. The bracket has anh-shaped cross section having a lower portion with a U-shapedConstruction with the opening facing downwardly and an upwardlyextending leg which provides a shield 11, see FIG. l, for the protectionof the person operating the missile device. At its rear portion, asviewed in the firing direction, the bracket 3 in addition to itsU-Shaped portion facing downwardly is provided with a recess 12 alsohaving a generally U-shaped configuration open at the top. The recess 12is arranged to receive a coupling element 13 for securing the launchingtube 4 to the device.

At the forward part of the bracket 3, as shown in FIG. 2, within itsdownwardly directed U-shaped section 14 there is positioned a housingsupport designed in a boxtype form. The bracket 3 is attached to thestand 2 through the fastening points 1S of the housing 10. Handles 16and 17 for effecting the traversing movement are mounted on the sides ofthe bracket 3 at the forward end of the support housing 10.

Bracket 3 is formed of a plastic shell construction and is comprised ofat least two glass fiber-reinforced plastic shells with the space inbetween them containing a foam such as made from polyurethane.

Mounted on the opposite side of the bracket 3 from the launching tube 4is a sighting member 18 for picking up and locating the target. Thissighting member also contains the position finder required for trackingthe missile. The sighting member 18 is secured through a connection 20to the housing 10 which transmits the major portion of the forces causedby the weight of the sighting member to the housing. With the sightingmember .18 supported by the housing, its plastic shell construction isrelieved, to a great extent, of the forces acting on or through it.

The missile launching package is comprised of the launching tube `4containing a missile and the coupling element 13 which secures thepackage or assembly to the bracket 3. During storage and transportationthe coupling member 13 is rigidly attached to the launching tube 4 andto the missile. Located in the forward end of the coupling element 13,as viewed in the ring direction of the device, is a plug connection 21arranged to engage a mating plug connection 22 rigidly attached to therearward end of the housing 10. The electric plug connection between thecoupling member 13 and the housing 10 is designed to transmit the forcesdeveloped in the launching operation from the launching tube `4 to thehousing 10. For properly aligning the coupling member 13 in the recess12, the bracket 3 contains a pair of sliding guides 23 which engagecorresponding grooves formed in the coupling element. In the forwardportion of the recess 12, a pair of guide ribs 3() are providedimmediately behind the plug connection 21 for leading the plugconnection on the coupling element into the mating plug connection 22 inthe housing support 10. In addi.- tion, an upwardly extending lockingknob 24 is provided in the recess .12 for engagement within acorresponding recess 25 in the coupling element for locking the couplingelement in place within the bracket.

At the forward and rearward ends of the coupling member and thelaunching tube, separation surfaces 26 are provided which afford asubstantially friction-free detachment of the launching tube from thecoupling after the missile is launched from the tube. As the missile islaunched, the tiring tube is detached from the coupling member in therearward direction, that is opposite to the ring direction.

The support housing 10 has a box-like shape and contains the electrical-parts necessary for tiring, tracking,

and guiding the missile. Prior to launching, the missile 19, see FIG. 2,is electrically connected to the launching and guiding device throughthe plug connections 21, 22, and during its guided flight it isconnected by means of a guidewire 31, note FIG. 1.

For maintenance and repair, access to the electrical and electronicmeans disposed within the housing can be achieved through the opening29. This opening is of a gas-tight type, since the entire unit ismaintained, for safety reasons, in a protective gas atmosphere withinthe housing 10.

At its front end, the bracket 3 is provided with a bearing surface 27which permits the launching and guiding device to be supported on anatural or artificial abutment or support surface if the latter is to beoperated in a standing or kneeling position without the use of thetripod on the stand.

At its rear end, the sight bracket 3 is designed to afford a supportingsurface 28 which permits the launching device to be operated from theshoulder of the ndividual operating the weapon.

Secured to the opposite sides of the bracket 3 at its forward end are apair of handles 16 and 17. As shown by the handle .16 in FIG. l, both ofthe handles are shaped to conform to the hand of the person operatingthe device. A limiting surface 161 of the handle conforms to the shapeof the thumb and another limiting surface 162 conforms to the innersurface of a finger. Further, the sides 163 of the handles containingthe recesses 164 conform to the ball of the hand. This design of thehandles affords easy alignment of the support bracket 3 in thetraversing direction and facilitates the sighting of the target and thetracking and guiding of the missile.

While the bracket has been described as constructed from a plastic shellarrangement, it will be appreciated that other materials may be used,for example a light metal construction, without departing from theinvention.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed in detail to illustrate the application of the inventiveprinciples, it will be understood that the invention may be embodiedotherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device for launching and guiding missiles arranged to beadjustably positioned in the elevating and traversing directions, asupport member for releasably mounting a missile launching tube assemblyon the device comprising a bracket having a general h-shaped sectionarranged to extend in the firing direction of the device, said brackethaving a front end facing in the firing direction of the device and arear end facing in the opposite direction, a first section of saidbracket located at the front end thereof, and a second section locatedat the rear end of said bracket, a box-type housing support disposed insaid first section of said bracket and having mounted therein means forfiring, tracking and guiding the missile, said housing support beingarranged approximately in the center of gravity of the bracket, and saidsecond section of said bracket having means to receive a missilelaunching assembly in interengaged relationship.

2. In a device as set forth in claim 1, wherein a door is located insaid housing support for gaining access to its interior, and said doorarranged in gas-tight relationship with said housing.

3. In a device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said bracket is formedof a lightweight material.

4. In a device as set forth in claim 3, wherein said bracket is formedof a plastic shell construction comprising at least two such shellsformed with glass fiber reinforcement and a polyurethane foam disposedbetween the plastic shells.

5. In a device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said bracket has a lowerU-shaped portion with its opening facing downwardly and an upwardlydirected leg secured to and extending upwardly from one side of said U-shaped portion, said leg arranged to form a protective shield extendingalong one side of the missile launching assembly, and said first andsecond sections of said bracket located in the U-shaped portion thereof.

6. In a device as set forth in claim 5, wherein said second section hasa concave shaped recess in its upper surface which extends forwardly tosaid housing support located in said first section.

7. In a device as set forth in claim 6, wherein an electrical plugconnection is disposed in the rearward end of said support housing andis arranged to receive a mating plug connection disposed in the forwardend of the missile launching assembly.

8. In a device as set forth in claim 7, wherein a locking knob isprovided in the concave-shaped recess of said second section of saidbracket and is arranged to engage within a recess in the missilelaunching assembly.

9. In a device as Set forth in claim 8, wherein sliding guides areprovided in the rearward portion of said recess in said second sectionand are arranged to engage within grooves located in the missilelaunching assembly.

10. In a device as set forth in claim 9, wherein guide projections areformed in the forward portion of said recess in said second sectionimmediately rearward of said plug connection in said housing support foraligning and leading the missile launching assembly into said plugconnection.

11. In a device as set forth in claim 1, wherein a sighting member ispositioned on and is connected to the opposite side of said upwardlyextending leg from said U-shaped portion, said sighting member isattached also to and its major support is provided by said housingsupport.

12. IIn a device as set forth in claim 1, wherein a pair of handles aremounted on the opposite sides of said support bracket at the forward endof said housing support.

13. In a device as set forth in claim 12, wherein said handles have ashape arranged to conform to the shape of the hands of a personoperating the device and are fitted closely to said bracket to avoid anyinterference with -he operation and transportation of the missilelaunching ev1ce.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,430,636 1l/1947 Gould 89-1.82,972,933 2/1961 Guthrie et al. 89-l.8l4 3,293,985 12/1966 Stauff et al89-1.8l5 3,316,808 5/1967 Mais 89-L8l6 X 3,389,637 6/1968 Beier et al.89-1.815

SAMUEL W. EN GLE, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 89-37; 24M-3.11

